Ahhhh, date night. Unfortunately, some of us haven’t heard those lovely words for a while. Make it an overnight date night, and we might not even remember the last time that incredible indulgence occurred. As a mom of four young kids, believe me, I feel your pain. A crazy schedule full of school, homework, activities, friends, birthday parties, and just plain old parenting duties makes it hard to set aside the time to reconnect with our spouse and get a little break. But one night away at the Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest will have you feeling refreshed, renewed, and more well-rested than you have been in ages!
My husband and I spent our 14th wedding anniversary celebration at the Deer Path Inn this past fall, and it absolutely exceeded our expectations. I am admittedly cheesy and love to find a way to incorporate the traditional wedding anniversary gifts to our special day each year: the 14th anniversary is “animal.” Since we are not ready to add another living being to our brood quite yet, (much to the kids’ dismay) I needed to get creative.
After a bit of research, I decided that I would surprise my hubby with a night at the Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest. Located right in Lake County, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away, yet you will feel as though you’ve entered an alternate universe of luxury and pampering. And did I mention restfulness? The Inn is styled after a 15th century English manor house, so upon arrival, you feel as though you have stepped into another world.
Service here is absolutely impeccable, as is the decor and feeling of warmth and luxury as you enter the inn. We were greeted by several bellman and front office staff and they made us feel like celebrities with their attentive service. Built in 1929, the Inn is both chic and rustic, filled with old world charm. Piano music peals throughout the lobby, and my husband and I enjoyed some afternoon coffee in the cozy parlor, sat in front of the fireplace, and actually had an uninterrupted conversation. Do you remember what that is like?
Several fantastic dining options are available if you would like to stay put and enjoy your time at the inn. An afternoon tea service is available Tuesday through Saturday with settings between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. This is a traditional tea service with carefully selected teas and a variety of gourmet sandwiches, maki, quiche, scones, petit fours and tartelettes. Tea service is provided for an additional cost, and reservations are recommended.
The Bar is relaxed yet sophisticated with a full menu, providing dishes ranging from fish and chips to filet mignon. A special extensive sushi menu is also available here. Another dining option offering traditional pub fare is the White Hart Pub. The English Room is the fine dining option, located in a beautiful upscale dining room overlooking the courtyard. This area provides the perfect atmosphere in which to celebrate special occasions. We decided to experience the Sunday brunch here, and we absolutely loved the ambiance, the impressive spread, and the unlimited mimosas.
The concierge was very accommodating and gave us directions, maps, and restaurant recommendations outside of the hotel premises, so we decided to explore. We were thrilled to spend time in adorable downtown Lake Forest. Walking through town, window shopping, and checking out the nooks and crannies of the square made it a memorable afternoon. We had a wonderful dinner (again, so much conversation!) at the Market House on the Square, which was cozy and delicious.
After an amazing night of sleep in a ridiculously comfy bed, we went for a run down by the lake. We ran through gorgeous neighborhoods, one house more spectacular than the next, and when we reached the waterfront, it literally took our breath away. That might have had something to do with the running, but it was also gorgeous! We were so pleasantly surprised that we were so close to home, yet felt as though we had made a trip to the East Coast. Our run back to the hotel was a bit slower since we were so sad to see this wonderful 24-hour stint at the Deer Path Inn come to an end.
We absolutely loved discovering this slice of heaven in the Chicago suburbs. No traffic, no airports, no long drives, just a short drive that provided us a beautiful way to reset, reconnect and renew our love for one another. And sleep.
Deer Path Inn
255 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest | (847) 234-2280
Facebook
Where do you go to celebrate special times and recharge for an overnight getaway?
Leave a Reply